[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 98 (Friday, June 26, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE STROKE COMEBACK CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the Stroke Comeback Center and the critical health care services that 
it provides to stroke survivors and their families.
  The Stroke Comeback Center (SCC) is a non-profit organization that 
provides ongoing rehabilitation and therapy to help combat the 
devastating damage that strokes can cause. The mission of the SCC has 
been to pick up where traditional health care coverage leaves off by 
providing affordable speech and language therapy programs to stroke 
victims in a caring and supportive environment.
  The SCC was founded in 2004 by Darlene Williamson and John Phillips 
based on the premise that stroke victims who suffer with communications 
problems can continue to improve with treatment and therapy. This 
theory went against the conventionally held belief that stroke 
survivors reached their maximum potential within the first few months 
of recovery. In addition, most insurance companies cover only short 
term treatment, which can limit access to therapy and thereby inhibit 
recovery.
  The SCC addresses these issues in a proactive and effective manner. 
Fees charged for services are on a sliding scale and are up to 75% less 
than at other facilities. No individual is ever turned away due to 
inability to pay. The programs offered by the SCC include group 
programs to assist with improvement of communication skills, computer 
assisted training, individual sessions and caregiver support meetings.
  The growth of the SCC is a tribute to the success of its programs. In 
2005, the SCC had five groups meeting two days per week. There are now 
21 groups meeting four days per week. Since opening, the SCC has 
provided more than 7,000 hours of therapy to stroke survivors.
  The SCC works closely with the American Heart Association, the Inova 
Mount Vernon Hospital, the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the 
George Washington University Department of Speech and Hearing Science.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Stroke Comeback Center and its dedicated staff and volunteers. The 
services and programs offered by the SCC fill a void in the 
rehabilitation process and significantly improve the quality of lives 
of stroke survivors and their families.

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